Friends of Sulgrave

Fall 2018 Volume 18, No 1 Manor

tional Society of The Colonial Dames of America is one New Business Plan for which visitors find fascinating and which truly reflects our objectives as a centre for friendship between the UK Sulgrave Manor and the USA. In the Manor we plan to create a more flexible sys- Sulgrave Manor has created a business plan to en- tem of self-managed access for visitors. sure its future. The parts are: to attract more visitors, to Conservation and Display of Collection repair the Manor, and to raise money. The Accredited Museum Collection at Sulgrave has Conservation and Repairs to the Manor been reviewed as part of our recent work, funded by the

The conservation of the Manor has been priced at regional arm of Arts Council , we hope to attract more ACE funding to complete this work. approximately $960,000. The major areas of work are Electrics and Heating at $315,000, External works Development of the garden

(walls, roofing, gutters, drainage) at $380,000 and Inter- We recognize that the gardens at Sulgrave should be nal Works (removal of gloss paint, re-plastering, decora- an attraction in their own right. There are a mixture of tion and replacement lighting) around $265,000. Thanks short term, low cost projects and longer term capital pro- to support of $265,000 from the Friends of Sulgrave jects within this category. New planting in a border can Manor, the first phase of restoration, will be carried out cost as little as $650 while resurfacing our paths for bet- during the Winter of 2018. ter wheelchair and buggy access could exceed $64,000. Development and Repairs to the Estate Expanding Learning Opportunities

The two thatched cottages currently stand vacant and There are opportunities to expand our schools pro- require comprehensive refurbishment. The Business Plan gramme into new areas and make full use of our site and also proposes to develop the farm buildings at the rear of assets including curriculum subjects of science and art. the cottages into detached properties for sale. We are already introducing informal learning opportuni- The Wool House was renovated during the Spring ties through a pilot project grant of $1,300. and Summer 2018. This $65,000 project was funded All of these plans require funding, resources of staff thanks to The NSCDA Sulgrave Manor endowment fund and often expert advice. The grant of $50,000 and the next few years will be a Friends of Sulgrave Manor challenging period, but one grant of $15,000. which we hope will see im- Developing the Visitor proved stability financially Experience and a clearer focus on the

It is proposed to create a areas which makes Sulgrave separate, immersive exhibi- Manor so special. Thank you tion dedicated to George all so much for your contin- Washington. Another theme ued support, it makes a huge is the story of Sulgrave difference to us knowing that Manor Trust itself. The his- so many people so far away tory of how the Trust was are rooting for our success. formed, the purchase of the Sulgrave Manor to the right Manor and the enduring of the walled perennial path. Alison Ray partnership with The Na- The building at the end of the CEO Sulgrave Manor border is the café.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

President, Mrs. Marvin E. Bradshaw, Jr. TEXAS The President’s Letter

Vice-President, Mrs. James B. Congdon PENNSYLVANIA Recording Secretary, Mrs. Richard Marius Tempero INDIANA It is hard to believe that this is the last letter I will be writ- Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. F. Worthington Hobbs PENNSYLVANIA ing for the Friends of Sulgrave Manor newsletter. My term as Treasurer, Mrs. William B. Blaylock TEXAS Senior Representative from the NSCDA to the Sulgrave Manor Assistant Treasurer, Mrs. Paul S. Zerges, Jr. OHIO Trust and President of the Friends will terminate at the annual Mrs. V. Cassel Adamson, Jr. VIRGINIA DeArmond LaFollette Arbogast WEST VIRGINIA meeting in October. My association with Sulgrave Manor and Mrs. Peter B. Archie OREGON the Friends goes back a lot longer than the past three years – or Mrs. Steven Wayne Duff, NSCDA President NEW YORK even the last six, if you include my term as Junior Representa- Mrs. Rudolf Edward Knepper ILLINOIS Mrs. Michael D. Milone PENNSYLVANIA tive and Vice President. For six years prior to those terms I Mrs. D. Thomas Moody FLORIDA was the Associate Trustee from Texas, and during that six Mrs. Lucian Newman, Jr. ALABAMA years I grew to care a great deal about the future of the Manor Mrs. Robert Gray Rogers, NSCDA Treasurer PENNSYLVANIA Mrs. William H. Schaaf, Jr. KENTUCKY and our relationship with it. In fact, it was during my time as Mrs. Marvin Sparks Singletary GEORGIA an Associate that I discovered that and I

HONORARY TRUSTEES shared a common ancestor. His maternal great grandfather, William Ball, was also my ancestor. So the past twelve years Mrs. John Schley Rutherford ALABAMA have been spent in a family situation! Mrs. H. Taylor Morrissette ALABAMA Mrs. James R. C. Cobb ARKANSAS There have been many changes at Sulgrave Manor during Mrs. W. Latimer Snowdon, Jr. DELAWARE these years, and I am glad to say that much has been accom- Mrs. Ian Glenday DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA plished by all who have been involved. The future holds many Mrs. Charles Steven Paul INDIANA Mrs. John B. Hubard MICHIGAN more positive improvements and advancements. The Sulgrave Mrs. Robert B. Field, Jr. NEW HAMPSHIRE Manor Trust Board is forward thinking, the CEO and her staff Mrs. David G. Holdsworth, NEW JERSEY are working on a strategy for the future, and as always, our Mrs. David C. Fuchs, NEW YORK Friends of Sulgrave Manor is outdoing themselves each year Mrs. William S. Tasman PENNSYLVANIA Mrs. Charles W. Waring SOUTH CAROLINA with increased gifts. Mrs. C. Richard Treadway TENNESSEE It has been a wonderful experience to get to know so Mrs. Everett D. Bohls TEXAS many wonderful people in England and to spend enough time Mrs. S. Spencer N. Brown TEXAS Mrs. Thomas W. Houghton TEXAS in the to become familiar with the country. I Mrs. William E. Chilton, III WEST VIRGINIA don’t intend to let that go by the wayside – as Marvin and I Mrs. Harland W. Huston, Jr. WISCONSON plan to continue traveling with the Friends to new as well as

ASSOCIATE TRUSTEES familiar places. Our incoming officers in the United States

Mrs. Sumner Greer Adams ALABAMA will continue the good work done by all who came before, and Mrs. Dean Blackwell-Miller ARIZONA Sulgrave Manor will always be a touchstone for the Washing- Mrs. Briant Noland, ARKANSAS ton's as well as all of our ancestors who came to the new world Mrs. Cecelia Ruth Cole CALIFORNIA Mrs. Thomas W. C. Miller COLORADO – and made it the great place it is today. Mrs. David W. Dangremond CONNECTICUT Mrs. David Paul Roselle DELAWARE Victoria Bradshaw Mrs. J. Dapray Muir DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Mrs. Michael James Lyons FLORIDA Senior Representative from the NSCDA to the Sulgrave Mrs. Vernon Nathaniel Hansford GEORGIA Manor Trust Mrs. C. Frank Damon, Jr. HAWAII President of the Friends of Sulgrave Manor Mrs. Ralph A. Bogan, Jr. ILLINOIS Herma Compton INDIANA Kristine Bartley IOWA Mrs. Paul Murray Buchanan KANSAS Mrs. Mildred Dent Stuart KENTUCKY Linda Dupree Dowling LOUISIANA Mrs. Sally Foy MAINE Mrs. J. Glenn Harwood MARYLAND Mrs. Charles Martin Hamann MASSACHUSETTS Mrs. Barry Victor Petit MINNESOTA Kathleen Gray Henry MISSISSIPPI Mrs. Hugh Scott III MISSOURI Mrs. Wm. Laird McNichols NEBRASKA Mrs. James Higgins NEW HAMPSHIRE Rhoda J. Harris NEW JERSEY Mrs. Walter W. Grist NEW YORK Mrs. Marshall A. Gallop, Jr., NORTH CAROLINA Mrs. Mark Thomas Johnson OHIO Mrs. William C. Liedtke, OKLAHOMA Mrs. Robert C. Thompson OREGON Jane Foster Willson, PENNSYLVANIA Ms. Neil Clayton Leerssen RHODE ISLAND Mrs. Madison Baker Wyche III SOUTH CAROLINA Ms. Allison Ward Stephens, TENNESSEE Mrs. William E. Wilson, Jr. TEXAS Miss Madeleine Helmer VERMONT Mrs. Mark Alan Sackson VIRGINIA Mrs. John A. Campbell WASHINGTON Vicky and Board DeArmond LaFollette Arbogast WEST VIRGINIA member Nick Way receiv- Mrs. Gary C. Zaiser WISCONSIN ing the flags at the end of the Dames Day. Vicky with her husband Marvin.

2 did in her role as a member of Parliament. She responded, Our own Baroness, Jill Knight “An aspiring MP needs the judgement of Solomon, the tact of a diplomat, the hide of an elephant, the energy of a break danc- Jill Knight, Baroness Knight of served on the er, the persistence of a debt collector and the patience of a Sulgrave Manor Board of Trustees for over 30 years and was saint. A sense of humor is not essential but oh brother, it its chair for many years. Now a 94 year- old English woman helps.” Although not paid what many professionals were paid, she also served as a member of Parliament for 50 years, 31 she believed, the true pay was in the currency of long hours, years in the House of Commons and 19 in the . hard work and a great deal of criticism. But for her “Being a Born Joan Christabel, Jill is a woman ahead of her time. She member of Parliament was the most varied, the lively, and grew up in , England, one of four children. Reacting to most interesting job in the her left-wing teacher, she announced at 13 she was going to be world”. She loved her job in Parliament! Her brothers laughed. At 18 she joined the which kept her there for Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. She performed ground control 50 years. of aircraft and also appeared on British Forces Network Radio. Jill’s dear husband died in Upon her return to the UK from Hamburg, she joined the 1986 when she was 63. Young Conservatives. At 24, she married James Knight, an His loss was devastating optometrist, who heartedly supported her as she followed her as he had been her under- dream to be in Parliament and her political career took off. standing, supporting and Jill was first elected as Councilor in the Bor- loving husband for almost ough and served in that role for 10 years (1956-1966) in her 40 years. But with addi- early thirties and forties. Only now are we encouraging more tional support and care women to run for public office. She became a whip and ran from her family and unsuccessfully twice for a seat in Parliament. During her time friends and her determina- in politics, she raised two boys, cared for her home without tion, Jill continued to fol- any assistance and supported her husband in his career. She low her commitment to was excited when in 1966, her name was finally submitted by Parliament for another 30 the Conservative Party (at age 43) to be their selection for years. After a serious fall nomination to Parliament (House of Commons). in her garden in 2016 Her election was the first time a female member of Parlia- (two years ago), she re- ment had been succeeded by another woman. She thinks at that signed from Parliament. It was not an easy decision but she time in Parliament there were about 20 women and about 635 concluded it was time. men (3% women) compared to today where over 30% are This British Dame named Knight is a model for other women. Already at that time, this woman had determination, women to be in politics and serve in leadership roles…Change spunk and a desire to make a difference. is happening because of women like Jill Knight and others It gives a member of Parliament great satisfaction to intro- who did not shut up but spoke up! duce a Private Bill and see it progress through all the proce- I end this paper with a salute to Jill who, in my mind, cap- dures and eventually become a law of the land. Jill introduced sulizes her life and career “Here’s to strong women. May we know they, may we be them, and may we raise them!’ Sue Ann Tempero April 2018 This is an excerpt from a paper “A Knight and A Manor” written by Sue Ann Tempero, Recording Secretary of Friends of Sulgrave Manor for her Indianapolis Women’s Literary Club. Information is based on a book About the House written by Jill Knight about her experiences in Parliament.

Vicky Bradshaw presenting Jill Knight with an honorary Friend of Sulgrave Manor at our Dames Day celebration. She is the first non Dame to become an honorary Trustee. five Private Member Bills. One had to do with safety packag- ing for medicine including the elders being exempt from using child-proof bottles and another addressed allowing a woman to pass on her English nationality to her child even if the child was not born in England. On average she said she received 30-40 letters a day—all which she answered or responded to—unless the letter started off “Dear Sir” which she immediately threw in the wastebas- ket. Jill wrote that hardly a week went by without someone The ending of another glorious Dames Day cele- raising a question or receiving a letter asking about what she bration., after the flag ceremony.

3 Dames Day 2018 Friends of Sulgrave Trip - 2018

Biennial Dames Day at Sulgrave Manor was held on Although the official Friends of Sulgrave Manor tour June 17, 2018. The day began with morning worship at St. began in the late afternoon of Tuesday 12 June with a meet- James the Less Church in Sulgrave. The Reverend Brian ing in the elegant bar at Flemings Hotel, by Monday evening Fairbank welcomed those in attendance. Mrs. Marvin E. Brad- the crowd was arriving. Thanks to the information sheets shaw, Jr. and Mrs. James B. Congdon each read a lesson. The with “mug shots” done by Bess Fuchs prior to our leaving church was built in the 14th century and had a porch added at home, all the travelers were easily recognized whether in the the time that Lawrence Washington attended. The church has lobby of Flemings or on Piccadilly Lane prior to the official a Washington Pew and includes 4 glass panels depicting 3 gathering. Certainly by the time we gathered at the hotel on generations of Washington Tuesday night, we were all known to each other. family Coats of Arms. Wednesday morning we climbed aboard our luxury After the church service coach, home for the next six days, and headed to York. A Norman Hudson welcomed the delicious lunch and the lovely gardens at Belmont le Manor group to the Manor with re- in Oxfordshire prepared us for the journey to the medieval freshments followed by op- City of York – but not the gale winds and showers that tions for morning and after- awaited us. We learned (or should I say learnt) that when it noon programs. The first pro- rained it was “dripping down”, and if it was a minor sprinkle gram was a village walking it was “mizzling”. tour that included a visit to the Wool House. Its renovation is almost complete and then it Belmont le Manor aux Quatre Saisons will become a rental unit. The with all of the travelers. second program provided the opportunity to tour the Manor House and to hear of future Norman Hudson, Acting updates to enhance visitors’ Chairman of the Trust. experiences which include a new George Washington exhi- bition distinctive from the stories of the Washington ancestors who resided at the manor. During the tour, the use of volun- teers in the house and garden was highlighted. The final pro- gram discussed learning and engagement for visitors to Sulgrave Manor. In particular it highlighted the school pro- gram and family learning activities at the property. The lunch was held in the Courtyard Hall and opened with a prayer by Mrs. Ken Christy, St. James the Less church member and Sulgrave Manor volunteer. Attendees included Dames and guests, members of the staff and Sulgrave Village The magical city of York is easily explored on foot as community members dedicated to the Centre is compact and enclosed within the ancient walls. preserving Sulgrave Manor. There is much to see, so on Thursday we ventured forth to Next, Mrs. Marvin E. Bradshaw, experience the Roman ruins and quaint medieval streets and Jr. recognized Baroness Jill parks. Most of the ladies chose to see the city while the fel- Knight of Collingtree for her ser- lows opted for the Railway Museum. While walking the tiny vice to Sulgrave Manor and Jill streets in the Shambles we were introduced to one of the became the first non-Dame to be shortest streets anywhere, Whip-ma-whop-ma-gate. recognized as an Honorary Trus- This is Saxon for something – not necessarily agreed tee. During dessert Alison Ray, upon. Our guide Kirstie translated it as “you call this a the CEO of Sulgrave Manor, gave street?”, however others define it as “what a street” or her report. She indicated that “neither one thing nor another”. I personally like Kirstie’s Sulgrave Manor received support translation. from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Alison reported the findings We reconvened at the famous Betty’s Tea Room for of a recent study that clarified the mission statement of lunch, followed by a short walk to the York Minster. We Sulgrave Manor along with recommendations to improve the were given a private tour of the stone mason’s workshop to quality of guests’ visits. She also described repairs to the look at the stones from the same quarry as the original ones Manor along with technological upgrades. Finally, she high- that are being created by the masons to replace the older lighted the curriculum programming Sulgrave Manor provides damaged ones. Then we were taken in an open construction to the many school groups that visit annually. elevator to the top of the Minster to learn how they go about Dames Day closed with a dual flag retirement ceremo- laying them. Even those who are terrified of high places ny including both US military representatives and British mili- were able to enjoy all that they experienced. After returning tary representatives. The day was most enjoyable for all who to earth, we attended Evensong at the Minster with reserved attended- both first time guests and return visitors to Sulgrave seats in a special section as well as a welcome to the Friends Manor. of Sulgrave Manor from the pulpit. That evening we were treated to cocktails in the stunning walled garden followed Julia Drake by dinner at the oldest inhabited house in York, Gray’s

4 th Court. It was originally built toward the end of the 11 cen- The Wool House tury, and archaeologists believe that the remains of a Roman gate lie buried just inside the grounds of this elegant house The Wool House which was built in the early 18th Cen- and garden. tury is an attractive stone and tiled roof character property ly- Friday we journeyed to North Yorkshire and a private ing directly opposite Sulgrave Manor and forming part of the tour of Castle Howard, the home of the Howard family. Ten grounds and estate owned by Sulgrave Manor Trust (SMT). generations have lived there continuously since the house The property was originally bought by Sulgrave Manor Trust th rd was built in the beginning of the 18 Century by the 3 Earl in 1960 thanks to a donation of $10,521.50 by the NSCDA. of Carlisle. It is renowned for its architecture, rich collections The property was tenanted on a commercial basis until and sublime landscaping. After lunch at Talbots Hotel in 1988 when Mr. & Mrs. Robbins o d in. Mr. Robbins was Malton we visited another magnificent stately home and gar- Curator of the Manor for many years and on his retirement he dens at Harewood House which would be the first of three was i d by the Trustees to occupy the Wool House. gardens we would see that were designed by Capability Following the death of Mr. Robbins, Mrs. Robbins continued Brown. Harewood House is the home of the Lascelles fami- to live in the property until her health deteriorated in 2016. ly. David Lascelles, the Earl of Harewood, is the grandson of During the later th the 6 Earl of Harewood and Princess Mary, sister of King years of this George V. tenancy the We returned for our last night at the marvelous Grand Wool house York Hotel and prepared for an early departure on Saturday became dated to Derbyshire and the house and gardens at Chatsworth, the and the lack of a th home of the 12 Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The comprehensive house was reopened for visitors this March after completing maintenance ten years of restoration work. The cost of the repairs was met schedule al- th by a trust set up by the 11 Duke and Duchess when faced lowed problems with the expenses of maintenance and taxes and opened their such as rainwa- home and grounds to the public. The gardens, which were ter ingress and the second in our visits of those designed by Capability The Wool House, garden view. failing window Brown, are absolutely marvelous, and we were extremely frames to take fortunate to have an extensive tour of the property and the hold. This in turn has placed a financial burden on the Trust home. After this extraordinary experience we headed to with no rental to cover these works. Broadway in the Cotswolds for three nights at the Lygon The Wool House has now been refurbished thanks to a Arms Hotel. grants from the NSCDA of $50,000 and the Friends of Sulgrave Manor and Dames Day at Sulgrave Manor was Sulgrave Manor of $15,000. Estimated rental income is ex- our destination on Sunday morning, arriving in time for wor- pected to be about $15,000 per year. ship at the church of the , St. James the Less, built in the 1300’s. The weather was perfect, and we were able to spend the day visiting the property and grounds, was absolutely super. The castle, built between 1539 and meeting with the staff and returning to Broadway for the 1545, is among the best-preserved of Henry VIII’s coastal ar- evening. tillery fortresses. On Monday, our final day of touring, we left for Wilt- Wednesday was “Exploring Daphne du Maurier” day in- shire and the wonderful medieval home of Robert and Patsy cluding a stop at Jamaica Inn and the quaint fishing port of Floyd, Gt. Chalfield – which has been featured in the current Fowey where she made her home for many years. We started version of Poldark. After strolling through the gardens with our final day with a walk through the churchyard gardens of St. Patsy, a leading garden expert, Robert took us through the Just in Roseland Church. The ancient church and cemetery house and chapel giving us the history, pointing out the very nestles on a tidal creek, an arm of the River Fal and near an special items, and then leading us to the large central hall for ancient Holy Well. We then visited the famous Gardens at a very grand luncheon. From there we headed to Tewkesbury Heligan which had been lost for nearly seventy years before and Wightfield Manor for a tour and tea with Angus and they were found and restored to gardens of today. After lunch Clare Scrimgeour, who have recently settled there. They are we visited Trelissick, the former home of the Copelands restoring the house and buildings and were pleased to be able (Spode China) and built from the income of Cornish mining. to show it to us. After tea we returned to our final dinner at After a wander through St. Mawes we returned to the Tresan- the Lygon Arms and packed to leave the next morning – ei- ton to prepare for leaving this magical place. ther for home or on to Cornwall. As we left Cornwall on Friday morning for Heathrow, we Tuesday 19 June was departure day for those of us trav- ran into a strong traffic delay on the motorway. It was due to eling on to Cornwall and the magnificent coast, villages and the fact that it was Midsummer Day and the night before was countryside, stopping at Ugbrooke House in a valley between Midsummer's Eve, and we were in the middle of those coming Exeter and Newton Abbot in Devon. Ugbrooke House is a from or going to Stonehenge. The Druid celebrations had private home that is over 900 years old and is featured in the passed, but the crowd remained. Fortunately we were able to and was our final visit to a Capability view Stonehenge and all of the mob of people from the motor- Brown landscape. It has been the Clifford family seat since way. Our final night was spent at Heathrow at the Sofitel Ho- 1604. After lunch we were off to Boconnoc, a privately tel. It was an absolutely fabulous trip, and there are many owned estate in Cornwall, where we were treated to a tradi- places that we visited that all would be happy to see again – tional Cornish cream tea in addition to a lovely tour of the but not right away! home as well as the Boconnic Parish Church dating from the th Victoria Bradshaw early 14 Century. Then it was on to St. Mawes and the Senior Representative to the Sulgrave Manor Trust Tresanton Hotel overlooking the bay. Sitting on the patio and President of the Friends of Sulgrave Manor watching the boats and seeing the ancient St. Mawes Castle

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 3878 Suburban, MD Newsletter of the Friends of Sulgrave Manor George Washington’s English Ancestral Home The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America

Mrs. Marvin E. Bradshaw, Jr. Sr. Representative to Sulgrave Manor 10515 Egret Lane Dallas TX 75230-4224 [email protected]

Bess Fuchs, Editor

Have 500 Year Old House, Need lots of money!!!

Let’s help maintain Sulgrave Manor Last year your funds refurbished the Wool House.

YES! I want to Help Sulgrave Manor.

My check is enclosed Payable to: Friends of Sulgrave Manor Please charge my: VISA MasterCard Credit Card #: Expiration Date: Another view of the Manor. Signature: Name: Address: City: State: Zip:

Telephone: State Society:

Mail check to: Please friend Sulgrave Manor on Mrs. William B. Blaylock Facebook. Find out about everything 10245 Epping Lane happening there as it happens. Supported by the Dames for more Dallas, TX 75229 Holes from masonry Bees in the than a century. Manor’s walls.

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